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NASA Measuring Iceland’s Glaciers
The US space institute NASA will be measuring the movements of Iceland’s glaciers, starting this week. RÚV reports that NASA will begin sending planes over the glaciers of Langjökull and Hofsjökull this week, using equipment that was designed with the help of…
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LGBT Rights Groups Tells Minister To Send Message To Sochi Olympics
Two LGBT rights groups have encouraged Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs Illugi Jökulsson to “hold aloft the banner of the rights of queer people”. Vísir reports that The National Queer Organization and Reykjavík Pride met with the minister today over his…
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Students Show Support For Teachers In Wage Dispute
A group of secondary school students are organising a demonstration in front of parliament tomorrow to show their support for their teachers, who are currently in a wage dispute with the state. DV reports that the demonstration – which is open to…
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Rabbits Will Be Shot
A city official has confirmed that, if municipalities are allowed to reduce Iceland’s invasive rabbit population, the first method to be taken will be the use of “little rifles.” Vísir spoke to Guðmundur B. Friðriksson, the office manager of the Environmental Quality…
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Iceland Sends 16.6 Million ISK To Syria
Both the church and state have sent aid to help the displaced within and around Syria. Vísir reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Icelandic Church Aid have sent 16.6 million ISK to Syria. These funds are to help displaced homeless…
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Calls For More Funding For Icelandic Classes
A municipal official from Akureyri contends that placing sole emphasis on increasing funding for interpreters will not help immigrants integrate. Zane Brikovska, a project manager for multicultural matters for the town of Akureyri, told Vísir, “If a person lives in Iceland for…
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About One Third Refused To Donate Organs
When it comes to the the question, “Do you want to donate your organs?”, there is a distinct discrepancy between how people answer in theory and in practice. Vísir reports that, according to a recent opinion poll, between 80% and 90% of…
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Majority Unhappy With Prime Minister’s Performance
Only 38% of Icelandic voters say they are pleased with the work Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson has been doing. Support varied widely, though, by party affiliation. Vísir reports that, according to the results of a poll conducted by television station Stöð…
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Rabbits To Be “Removed” From Iceland
Rabbit populations are reaching a level that calls for their complete extermination or very strict population controls, municipal officials contend. In a joint statement from the environmental departments of all six capital and capital area municipalities, they point out that rabbits, a…
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State Prosecutor Requests More Information From Interior Minister
Six weeks after the formal request has made, the State Prosecutor is now asking for more documentation on a leaked memo about a Nigerian asylum seeker. DV reports that the State Prosecutor, has received some information from the Ministry of the Interior…
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Most Icelanders Want Vote On Finishing EU Talks
A new poll shows that most Icelanders, regardless of political party, want a referendum on whether or not to complete accession talks with the European Union. Vísir reports that, according to a new poll conducted by Maskína, 67.5% of those surveyed said…
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Iceland’s Immigrants Experience Frequent Prejudice
The results of a new poll show that almost all foreigners in Iceland say they have experienced some form of prejudice from Icelanders within the span of two weeks alone. Vísir reports that the study in question, conducted in 2012, showed that…
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Iceland Approves Free Trade Agreement With China
There was much celebration in parliament over the decision, but not every MP was on board. Vísir reports that former Minister of Foreign Affairs Össur Skarphéðinsson – who was on the cabinet when the deal was first initiated in 2006 – said…
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The White-Tailed Eagle: 100 Years Of Protection
One of Iceland’s most celebrated birds of prey, the white-tailed eagle, was first officially protected 100 years ago this year. The Icelandic parliament approved a measure to protect the bird in 1914, Vísir reports, with legislation that lasts with us to this…
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MP Wants Answers About Whale Beer
Social Democrat MP Mörður Árnason has submitted several questions to the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture about Hvalabjór, a beer made in part from powdered whale bones. Vísir reports that Mörður formally submitted his questions in parliament today, directed at Minister of…
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Radio Times Readers Vote Iceland Top TV Setting
The results are in, and of all TV Land’s best and brightest, one location stood out as the favourite of Radio Times readers: Iceland. Whilst the poll featured such heavy contenders as Mad Men, Doc Martin and I’m A Celebrity … Get…
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Women’s Shelter Gets More Beds
A Reykjavík shelter for homeless women received a gift of new beds, for which one donor said there was “an absolutely great need.” DV reports that nine beds were given to Konukot, a night shelter for homeless women. The donors behind the…
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Debate In Parliament Over Asylum Seeker Memo
Minister of the Interior Hanna Birna Kristjándóttir was on the defensive in parliament today, as numerous MPs requested an independent investigation of a leaked memo on an asylum seeker. Vísir reports that Hanna Birna told parliament that her ministry conducted its own…
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Asylum Seekers Increase, Changes To Law Examined
The number of asylum seeker applications in Iceland has increased over the past few years, and the Ministry of the Interior has proposed changes to make the process fairer. Vísir reports that asylum seeker applications increased from 76 in 2011 and 117…
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Leoncie To Perform In Iceland Again
Singer Icy Spicy Leoncie will be making a rare appearance in Iceland, as she will perform downtown one week from Friday. Vísir reports that the singer, who is herself no stranger to the Grapevine, will be hitting the stage of Gamli Gaukurinn…
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Public Offices Breaking Law By Not Offering Interpreters
Despite Icelandic law guaranteeing the right to the country’s immigrants, not all public offices offer an interpreter, and some go so far as to deny the service. Interpreters and councilors for immigrants that Vísir spoke with confirmed that they have received numerous…
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Ministry Makes Whale Beer For Sale Again
After being deemed illegal only two weeks previous, Hvalbjór, an Icelandic beer which uses powdered whale bones, is now back on the market – thanks to the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. RÚV reports that Helgi Helgason, the managing director of the…
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A Close Race For City Elections?
The top three parties running for Reykjavík city council this year are within a few points of each other, just months before elections will be held. According to a poll conducted by the Social Sciences Department of the University of Iceland, MBL…
